Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 08:33:20 PM

Title: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 08:33:20 PM: I'm brand new to reloading and I found a lee kit on Amazon for $120. I no its not the best quality and I know it's nothing fancy but I just want to go as cheap as possible to see if I like it. After looking at the kit, it seems to have everything except the dies. In the reviews people recommended I get dial calipers aswell to measure shell casing. I am also getting the book " ABC's to reloading"The reviews also suggested getting a tumbler for cleaning. What do you guys have to say about getting into reloading as far as what I need minimum to get started? Can you think of anything else? I will be reloading .223 and 30-06. Thanks for any help guys. This is all so confusing 😁
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 08:36:17 PM: This is the link to what I'm looking at http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ISVWC6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1442028917&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=reloading+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=51lB6yy2-aL&ref=plSrch
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Coastie_Compton on September 11, 2015, 08:40:12 PM: If you do bottleneck cartridges you will need to do some trimming also. Tumbler is a must you can usually get a cheap one with some media included. Also case lube if not included. I never liked priming with a press either but try it and see if you like it.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Stein on September 11, 2015, 08:40:36 PM: That kit is what I would buy. Also add the following:

1. Bullet puller
2. Tumbler
3. Calipers

Look for Frankford Arsenal stuff, good quality and very low price. The three items above shouldn't set you back more than another $90 or so. If you are tight on money, dump the puller. If you are really, really, tight on money, dump the tumbler.

Yeah, I forgot the trimmer. Pick up a Lee Zip trim along with the cutter for the cartridge you are looking at reloading.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on September 11, 2015, 08:40:46 PM: You will need a tumble to clean your brass and a primer pocket cleaner as well, unless you are buying brass that is primed and tumbled.

How many rounds do you fire of the 30-06 and .223 a year do you think?
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Coastie_Compton on September 11, 2015, 08:43:16 PM: And if you have a drill i use a taper bit to remove swage from crimped primers on 223
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 11, 2015, 08:50:15 PM: If you go with the Lee kit and are considering the Lee trimmer, I have a set that I'd sell you for cheap. I have .223, a few common pistol cartridges, and a few other rifle cartridges. It is a nice set for cheap into trimming kit. I'll have to dig it out if you want more specifics.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 08:58:55 PM: I'm not sure how much I will fire, my .223 rifle is a bolt action ruger American, so I won't be shooting thousands of road unds. I will probably put 500-1000 round through my 30-06 as well. FlOund3r I would be interested but I just went to the west side to get a gun and I'm not in a hurry to come back to the traffic! So so far I would need the kit, a tumbler with a brass internal cleaner. And as far as dies go, I have no idea how to work them yet, but the set I was looking at are these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002SEZ5PG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1442030314&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=lee+.223+die+set&dpPl=1&dpID=51P52ElTemL&ref=plSrch
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 09:16:04 PM: Here is everything that I've gotten, let me know if it sounds good.
Tumbler $36
Walnut lizard bedding (media) $12
Case lube $8
Bullet puller $12
Calipers $11
Lee zip trimmer $30
Lee .223 gauge and holder $5.19
Lee primer pocket cleaner $7.93
Lee .223 die set $30
Lee 30-06 die set 30
So as of now I'm looking at total material investment of around $310
Do I need all the dies in the Die set? I'm still not entirely sure of their function.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: 2labs on September 11, 2015, 09:31:12 PM: Looks good, only thing I might question is where you got 11 dollar calipers? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Coastie_Compton on September 11, 2015, 09:43:58 PM: Yes you need all the dies. There are instructions in the box but it woukd be best if you could get a member in your area to help you learn the ropes on setting them up and reload a few rounds. If i go see my grandfather in medical lake i could assist. I helped teach a NRA basic reloading course a few years ago but havent had the time to do it anymore.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 09:44:26 PM: Quote from: 2labs on September 11, 2015, 09:31:12 PM
Looks good, only thing I might question is where you got 11 dollar calipers? :chuckle:

Amazon :chuckle:
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 09:46:51 PM: I just looked it up and I could reload 1000 rounds of .223 at 21 cents around and could buy factory fmj for 37 cents so I need to see if I'm going to shoot enough to make it even worth it. Reloading my 30-06 would be where I could save the money I think
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: 2labs on September 11, 2015, 09:52:15 PM: Your not going to save money for awhile. This is more of a lifetime grumpy old man hobby.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 11, 2015, 09:54:46 PM: Quote from: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 09:16:04 PM
Here is everything that I've gotten, let me know if it sounds good.
Tumbler $36
Walnut lizard bedding (media) $12
Case lube $8
Bullet puller $12
Calipers $11
Lee zip trimmer $30
Lee .223 gauge and holder $5.19
Lee primer pocket cleaner $7.93
Lee .223 die set $30
Lee 30-06 die set 30
So as of now I'm looking at total material investment of around $310
Do I need all the dies in the Die set? I'm still not entirely sure of their function.

Get the Lee manual, if it did not come with the Lee kit. It will explain how to use all the Lee equipment and have a good amount of reloading data.

The Lee zip trim is $20 at midwayusa. I am also sending a PM with my Lee trimmers.

BTW, I would go with this over the Lee zip trim.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

Chuck it in a drill for quick and more convenient trimming.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 11, 2015, 10:10:22 PM: If you're gonna reload and be half-assed serious about it, buy a kit. You'll have to buy the dies and accessories. If you only reload, say 223, it's available now and I wouldn't waste my time to reload that caliber.

If you're going to reload a bunch of calibers and want bench rest accuracy, critical accuracy, then buy the reloading stuff to do so. It ain't cheap to do so.
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: brokenvet on September 12, 2015, 08:50:47 AM: Quote from: Bennick16 on September 11, 2015, 09:44:26 PM
Quote from: 2labs on September 11, 2015, 09:31:12 PM
Looks good, only thing I might question is where you got 11 dollar calipers? :chuckle:

Amazon :chuckle:

Sounds more like Harbor Freight, :chuckle:

For your lube use Imperial wax.

Some one mentioned get the Lee reload manual, it's ok, however the data on that book is on the lower pressure side compared to Hornady, Barnes, Sierra etc..
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: yorketransport on September 13, 2015, 09:39:44 AM: The Lee kit, calipers, and a case trimmer of some kind will get you going. I didn't run a tumbler for years and I don't use it that often now. You can just wipe cases clean with a rag sprayed with Ballistol.

I never clean or uniform primer pockets. It's a waste of time in my opinion. I've shot more sub 1/4 MOA groups than I can count with a variety of different guns and calibers and I've never seen a use for cleaning primer pockets. I've you're competing for money or just enjoy the tedious task of cleaning primer pockets then it might be worth it, but I still doubt it.

Don't over think it and you'll be fine. Get a few different reloading manuals and read them all. I have a Lee Anniversary kit that I bought 17 years ago and I've loaded all of my ammo, including match ammo from when I shot benchrest, on that press with regular off the shelf dies. I have tens of thousands of rounds on that press and it's still working great. I won't think twice about paying $2 each for bullets or brass, but the thought of spending a money on extra reloading equipment makes me cringe. :chuckle:

Andrew
Title: Re: Reloading
Post by: Stein on September 15, 2015, 05:49:00 PM: Quote from: 2labs on September 11, 2015, 09:52:15 PM
Your not going to save money for awhile. This is more of a lifetime grumpy old man hobby.

You save money on the first round - the trick is not counting all the stuff you bought, only the raw materials. :IBCOOL: